The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Artists invited to create work for stamp contest
Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is inviting artists to enter their waterfowl artwork in Connecticut’s annual Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp Art Contest. DEEP continues to encourage local artists to submit entries that contain Connecticut specific imagery. The winning entry in this contest will be featured on the 2019 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp.
“The Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program is a great example of how conservation works — concerned citizens paying into a program that was formed to protect and enhance vital habitat. Being more than just a ‘Duck’ Stamp, the conservation work it funds provides habitat for a multitude of wildlife species, including herons, egrets, fish, and amphibians,” said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen, in a statement.
“By state law, funds generated from the sale of Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation stamps can only be used for the development, management, preservation, conservation, acquisition, purchase, and maintenance of waterfowl habitat and wetlands, as well as the purchase and acquisition of recreational rights or interests relating to migratory birds,” she said.
The contest is open to all artists, regardless of residence, age or experience. Artwork may be in any full-color medium, including acrylic, oil, colored pencil, and watercolor. Images that include a Connecticut scene or landmark are highly preferred. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, general rendering, and suitability for reproduction. Entries must be received in person or postmarked on or before April 15 to be eligible.
Entries should be sent to: CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Program, 391 Route 32, North Franklin, CT 06254.
Contest rules, judging criteria and official entry certificate are on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/ ctduckstamp or by calling the DEEP Wildlife Division’s Franklin office at 860-4185952.
The Duck Stamp Program was initiated in the early 1990s when concerned sportsmen worked with DEEP to develop legislation to generate revenue for wetland conservation. Modeled after the federal Duck Stamp Program, the Connecticut program requires the purchase of a state Duck Stamp, along with a hunting license, to hunt waterfowl and other migratory birds in the state.
The first Connecticut Duck Stamp debuted in 1993 with a fee of $5. From 1993-2002, the sale of Duck Stamps and prints generated over $1.2 million in revenue. Print sales declined over time and the print program was discontinued with the 2002 Duck Stamp.
The sale of stamps generates approximately $50,000 per year. With the return of full-color artistic duck stamps in 2013, art enthusiasts, stamp collectors, and conservationists are encouraged to purchase as many stamps as they wish to provide funds for wetland conservation projects.
The 2017 stamp is of a pair of canvasbacks at the mouth of the Thames River with the historic New London lighthouse in the background, which was painted by Mark Thone.
The 2018 stamp, which was painted by Connecticut artist Chet Reneson, highlights a pair of surf scoters flying at the mouth of the Connecticut River with the Saybrook Jetty and Lighthouse in the background.
Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program funds generated through the Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program have been responsible for restoring and enhancing over 3,545 acres of wetlands. Projects have encompassed nearly 50 sites, mostly on state-owned wildlife management areas. This has benefitted many species of birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles of the state that rely upon clean, healthy wetlands.
Duck Stamp funds have generated funds for Connecticut through matching grants from federal conservation initiatives. By combining Duck Stamp funds with these additional monies, over $4 million have been available to complete wildlife conservation projects. Thus, Connecticut has received a 4-to-1 return on Duck Stamp monies.